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Today, I'm highlighting one of my all-time favorite country songs, and as a Great Song of 1987, it has quite a pedigree!
"Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis was written by the prolific country songwriting duo of Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, who quite literally wrote dozens of Great Songs for the likes of Kenny Rogers, Alabama, The Judds, and many others.
"Forever and Ever, Amen" was inspired by Don's young son, who would end his nightly prayers by saying, "Mommy, I love you forever and ever, Amen!"
One day, Don happened to mention it to Paul in passing...and about an hour later, they had written the song!
They pitched it to Warner Brothers Records, who thought it would be a good match for Randy Travis.
And it was!
"Forever and Ever, Amen" was released as a single from Randy's 1987 album "Always and Forever," and to say it became a HUGE hit would be an understatement!
Not only did it climb straight to the top of the Country Charts in both the US and Canada, it won the Grammy Award for "Best Country & Western Song," and earned "Song of the Year" honors from both the Academy of Country Music AND the Country Music Association!
Of course, most country fans know that Randy had a massive stroke in 2013, which left him with severe aphasia--leaving him unable to sing more than a few notes at a time, and robbing most of his ability to to speak.
Since then, many country artists have covered "Forever and Ever, Amen" with Randy contributing the final "Amen." (Check the link to the 2020 cover by Josh Turner below.)
It's country music's way of honoring Randy Travis, who gave us a number of "Great Country" Songs, and became a living legend "Forever and Ever, Amen." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtKXc_v2iLE
Josh Turner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91BWQBJpmU0
Tomorrow: Dusty's Pet Shop
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